Orthodox Music

In Orthodoxy music is an integral part of the worship that takes place at all services held. In traditional fashion hymns are sung or chanted in the eight byzantine tones that give the worship music a distinct sonic character when compared to western counterparts.

There are many hymns that remain constant across the Matins services and also hymns that change through out the Liturgical year. Some of the hymns that change are called the: Apolytikion, Troparion, and Kontakion sung towards the beginning of the Liturgical service around the Entrance.

Additionally there are many variations on these hymns that inherit the influences of the ethnic context of a given parish. It is common to hear the same hymn sung at many different ethnic parishes, but with a distinct flavor such as Russian, Slavonic, Greek, or Middle Eastern based upon that specific parish's origin. These variations are seen as demonstrating the plurality of our individuality through each origin's interpretation, while also heightening our unity with the shared focus of all of our unique adulation for God.

The ultimate goal Orthodox music is to serve as an augment to the worship of God in our services and lives. The musical tradition has been deeply woven in the fabric of our services as a integral part of the nominal ritual of a service rather than a point of focus as seen in some other traditions. Most of a service is sung or chanted in some kind of way with the major departure only coming in the spoken pastorial message given during a Matins service.

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